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BCHL Playoff Picture Taking Shape, Langley Defenseman Kearley Commits to University of Vermont, Former PG Blueliner Manning Sent to AHL:

With only 38 days until the 2014-15 BCHL regular season ends, the playoff picture is already taking shape. Once again this season, the BCHL is going with a playoff format which sees best-of-seven playoff series in Rounds One (Division Semifinals) and Two (Division Finals), a three-team round robin in Round Three designed to eliminate one team and then a best-of-seven Fred Page Cup final between the two teams surviving Round Three.

The top four teams from each division make the post-season, meaning that only four of the BCHL’s 12 teams get in. If the regular season ended Wednesday, these would be the Division Semifinal match-ups:

INTERIOR DIVISION

(1) Penticton vs. (4) West Kelowna

(2) Vernon vs. (3) Merritt

STANDINGS

Penticton – 71 points

Vernon – 59 points

Merritt – 50 points

West Kelowna – 49 points

Salmon Arm and Trail aren’t officially eliminated from the playoff picture, in fact, the SilverBacks are just five points behind the Warriors with two games in hand. The uphill climb is much more difficult for the Smoke Eaters, who are 17 points back of West Kelowna with only 16 games remaining.

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ISLAND DIVISION

(1) Nanaimo vs. (4) Alberni Valley

(2) Powell River vs. (3) Victoria

STANDINGS

Nanaimo – 60 points

Powell River – 50 points

Victoria – 48 points

Alberni Valley – 45 points

Cowichan isn’t out of contention as the Capitals are eight points back of the Bulldogs. However, the Caps only have 13 games remaining and AV has four games in hand. First place looks like the Clippers to lose, but determining the second team to receive home ice advantage could go down to the wire between the Kings and Grizzlies.

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MAINLAND DIVISION

(1) Langley vs. (4) Coquitlam

(2) Chilliwack vs. (3) Prince George

STANDINGS

Langley – 53 points

Chilliwack – 52 points

Prince George – 44 points

Coquitlam – 37 points

The Rivermen and Chiefs are the first two BCHL teams to clinch a playoff spot as it is mathematically for either of them to finish worse than fourth in the Mainland Division. Surrey isn’t officially out of the picture, but riding a seven game losing skid and facing a 20 point gap between itself and the Express is daunting for sure. Obviously, whichever team ends up meeting PG is looking a much more grueling travel schedule than the other series.

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19-year-old Langley Rivermen defenseman Jacob Kearley has committed to the University of Vermont for this September. The Newmarket, Ontario product has 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 41 games with the Riv this season. He posted 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 57 games with Victoria last season before being traded in the off-season to Langley.

Defenseman Brandon Manning (Prince George, 2007-08) has been assigned to LeHigh Valley of the AHL by the Philadelphia Flyers. Manning has one assist in three games with Philly this season. He’s added 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 36 games with the Phantoms.